Take a hike is exactly what I did early Thursday evening. Along with Mark Wyum and Larry Christensen I hiked from the Rutland General Store and followed the existing railroad track for another two miles south of town (we made the trek in less than an hour). Mark is chair of our Hiking/Biking Trails committee to explore options for a route out to Silver Lake. The railroad track, owned by the State of South Dakota, is operated by the Dakota Missouri Valley and Western Railroad. It is one option for a hiking trail. This one provides a challenge with the sloughs in the area as well as the narrow bridge spanning the Wild Rice. I think I got a neck ache since I had to look down at every step and got a break only when I stopped to snap a few photos of the route we took.
rutlandramblings 
Have you heard of “Rails to Trails”? I think the program may be through the Nat’l Park Service. I’d be happy to hear on a blog about your trail and how you went about doing the project. Bowdon has a closed RR through town and we have thought at times how nice to link all the towns along the track by a trail that visitors would traverse and also stop in the towns to eat, sleep, and tour. It all fits well with nature tourism and birding and good health. Good luck!